Container opening device



May 31, 1938 M. P. LINK i v 2,119,135

CONTAINER OPENING DEVICE Filed May 9, 1936 Patented Mey. 31, 193sAumTiezp sTATes PATENT 'o1-FICE 2,119,135 ooNTAnma creme nevicaMaximilian Paul Link, LosAngelel, Application May 9, 1986, Serial No.78,843

1s claims. (ci. 11s- 1) This invention relates to a device for opening ycontainers and relates more particularly to a device for removing thecaps or heads of containers. A general object of this invention is toprovide a simple, inexpensive and conveniently operable device forremoving the caps or ends of containers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a practical, easilyoperated device for de-capping 1u or bodily removing the caps of paper,liber or cardboardcontainers of the character set forth and claimed inmy co-pending application entitled Container, Serial No. 48,846, iiledNovember 8, 1935,y and that may be designed to remove l5 the caps oftypical metal containers or cans.

Anotherobject `of this invention is to provide a container openingdevice that is operable to release or unseam a cap from a containerwithout mutilating the cap, whereby it may be replaced on the containerfor use as a' cover until' the contents areentirely removed, or wherebythe removed cap may be used as an ash tray or a coaster for glasses,etc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the charactermentioned for removing the heads or caps of containers that may beeasily operated without danger to the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that is operableto remove a head or cap from a container without causing particles ofmetal to enter the container, without forming sharp hazardous edges oneither the container or the cap, and without coming in contact with thecontents of the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container opening`device of the character mentioned that may be easily and quicklyadjusted tc remove the ends or caps of containers of differentdiameters. 4

Another object of this invention is to provide a container openingdevice that unseams or uncurls the iiange or anges securing the cap tothe container without cutting through any metal parts and, therefore,without exposing any untioned in which the principal parts may be easilyremoved from the support or bracket for cleaning.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood vfrom the following 5v detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device pro- 10 vided by the presentinvention. Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the outer end of the device.Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of the devicetaken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2, showing it removing a cap froma con- 15 tainer. Fig. 4 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken asindicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a. vertical sectional view ofthe head or cap removed from the container. Fig. 6 is arr enlargedhorizontal fragmentary detailed sectional view taken as indicated byline 6-6 on Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectionalview taken as indicated by line 'l-l on Fig. 3 and Fig. 8-is an enlargedfragmentary vertical sectional view of the two wheels in operating 25engagement with the seam of a can.

The present invention may be embodied in forms for removing the ends orcaps of containers of various constructions. In the following detaileddisclosure I will describe'a typical 30 form of the invention suitablefor removing the caps of containers of the character set forth in myabove-identified co-pending application, and that may, with slightmodiiication, remove the caps of typical metal containers or cans.

The typical form of the invention illustrated in the drawing includes,generally, a bracket I0 adapted to be secured to a suitable support, abody plate I I removably carried by the bracket I0, a curling wheel I2rotatably mounted on the 40 body plate Il, a second curling wheel ortraction wheel I3, means I4 for shifting or adjusting the Wheel I3 toproperly engage the wheels I2 and I3 with the seam of a container, meansI5 for rotating the wheel I3, and an adjustable guide plate I6 formaintaining the proper relationshipbetween the wheels I2 and I3 andthecontainer C.

The bracket I0 may be designed for attachment to various supports. Inthe particular case 5o illustrated the bracket Ill is intended to besecured to a vertical support such as a wall and is capable ofbeingswung to an inoperative posltion adjacent or against the support.The bracket III is an elongate plate-like part and its inner end ispivotally carried by a hinge pin I'I supported by a hinge part I8 whichin turn may be secured to a support I9. The outer portion of the bracketIll may be reduced in width. The bracket I0 is vertically disposed, thatis, its opposite main surfaces are substantially vertical. Spaceddownwardly and inwardly converging cuts or openings 20 are formed in thebracket I0 adjacent its outer end and the material of the bracket isbent laterally from the openings 20 to form laterally projecting lugs2|. The inner surfaces of the lugs 2| are downwardly convergent anddiverge inwardly toward the face of the bracket.

The body plate I I carries the principal or operative parts of thedevice and is carried by the bracket I0 for removal therefrom tofacilitate cleaning of the device. The body plate II is verticallydisposed at one side surface of the bracket IIJ and has a curved orarcuate upper edge 22. The inner edge of the body plate IIl may bestraight and vertical and the plate I I may have a depending tongueportion 23. Spaced downwardly convergent cuts or openings 24 areprovided in the body plate II and the metal of the plate is bentoutwardly from the openings 24 to form downwardly convergent andoutwardly diverging tongues 25. The tongues 25 are adapted to seat ornest in the lugs 2| as best illustrated in Fig. 6, to removably supportthe body plate II on the bracket I0. The: cooperation of the tongues 25with the lugs 2| is such that the body plate II is dependably heldagainst movement and play relative tothe bracket III when the device isin operation and the tongues 25 may be disengaged from the lugs 2| bymovement upwardly out of engagement with the lugs to free the body platefrom the bracket. The tongue portion 23 of the body plate II ispreferably inclined downwardly and laterally and is provided at itslower end with a foot or guide 26. 'I'he guide projects at substantiallyright angles to the tongue portion 23 and its outer edge 21 is concavedto receive and guide the wall of a cylindrical container C.

The curling wheel I2 is provided to engage under and uncurl the seamflange or anges securing the head or cap A to the container C. The wheelI2 is rotatable about a relatively stationary axis and is driven orrotated by the wheel I3 and through its cooperation with the containerC. In the simple preferred construction illustrated the wheel I2 isrotatable on a stud 2B. The stud 28 may be threaded in an opening 29 inthe ltongue portion 23 and may be riveted, Welded, or other- Wise fixedin the opening. The stud is spaced above the guide 25 and projectslaterally in substantially the same direction'as the guide.` A head 30is provided on the outer end of the stud 28 and cooperates -with arecess or counterbore in the wheel I2 to prevent displacement of thewheel from the stud.

In accordance with the invention the axis of rotation of the Wheel I2 isinclined relative to the plane of the body plate being substantiallynormal to the plane. of the tongue portion 23.-

The periphery of the curling wheel I2 is shaped to have uncurlingcooperation with the seam flange F of the cap A. An annular groove 3| isprovided in the periphery of the wheel I2 to cooperate with the lowerside or under portion of the flange F. The groove 3I extends outwardlyto or adjacent the outer face of the wheel I2 and is shaped so that thewheel has a relatively sharp annular lip 32 capable of engaging underthe flange F. An annular series of relatively fine teeth 33 is providedon the periphery of the wheel I2 at the inner side of the groove 3|. Theteeth 33 are provided to cooperate with the wheel I3, as will behereinafter described.

The wheel I3 is adapted to be manually driven or rotated to turn thecontainer C and the Wheel I2. The Wheel I3 is adapted to engage theupper surface of the seam flange F and its periphery is shaped toproperly cooperate with the bead or flange. The periphery of the wheelI3 may be grooved or concaved. However, it has been found moreeconomical to form the periphery of the wheel I3 substantiallycylindrical as illustrated. Peripheral teeth 34 are provided on thewheel I3 to have effective traction or turning engagement with theflange F and to mesh with the teeth 33 of the wheel I2. The wheels I2and I3 may both be hardened to be long wearing.

The means I4 is provided to bodily shift the wheel I3 relative to thewheel I2 so that the flange F of the container C may be engaged betweenthe wheels as shown in Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawing, for the purpose ofunseaming or uncurling the flange. The means for adjusting or shiftingthe wheel I3 includes a, sleeve 35 rotatable or turnable in an opening36 in the body plate II. An annular iiange 3'I on the sleeve 35 engagesor bears against one side surface of the body plate I I. In accordancewith the invention a lever 39 is provided on the sleeve 35` tofacilitate its turning or adjustment. The lever 39 has an opening 40receiving the sleeve 35 and the lever engages against a spacer or washer38. A lug 4I on the lever 39 cooperates with a notch 42 in the sleeve 35to hold the lever against turning on the sleeve. A plate 43 is pinned orotherwise secured to an end of the sleeve 35 to hold the lever 39 on thesleeve.

The lever 39 extends outwardly from the sleeve 35 to the curved edge 22and has a finger' 44 engaging over the edge 22 to project parallel withthe opposite side surface of the body plate II. Ears or handle grips 45are provided on the outer end of the lever 39. The grips 45 may beintegral parts of the lever 39 bent outwardly Where the finger 44extends over the edge 22. The lever 39 may be bent inwardly to shiftablybear against the adjacent surface` of the body plate II adjacent itsouter edge 22. Detent means is provided to releasably or yieldingly holdthe lever 39 in its adjusted positions. A plurality of depressions 46 isprovided in a surface of the body plate I I. The depressions 46 arearranged in a curved series spaced inwardly from the edge 22 andterminate at an elongate curved slot 4'I. A detent pin 48 is shiftablein an opening in the finger 44 and has a rounded end for cooperatingwith the depressions 45. A cap 49 is provided on the finger 44 toenclose the head of the pin 48 and a spring 5I) is arranged in the cap49 to urge the pin inwardly into cooperation with the depressions 46. Astop lug 5I may be provided on the body plate II to limit the downwardand outward swinging of the lever 39. It is believed that it will beapparent how the grips 45 may be grasped to shift or swing the lever 39and how the pin 48 is adapted to cooperate with any one of thedepressions 46 to releasably hold the lever in its adjusted position.Such swinging or adjustment of the lever 39 is, of course, accompaniedby turning of the sleeve 35. rll'he slot 41 is adapted to receive thepin 48 to permit free movement of the lever at the end of its stroke.

The means I4 for adjusting or shifting the wheel I3 includes a shaft 52carrying the wheel I3. In accordance with the invention a longitudinalopening 53 is provided in the sleeve 35 and is offset oreccentricrelatlve to the cylindrical periphery of the sleeve. The shaft52 extends through and is rotatable in the eccentric opening 53. Theshaft 52 projects from an end of the sleeve 35 to carry the wheel I3. Inthe particular form of the invention illustrated the shaft 52 has a flatsided projecting portion 52a fitting a correspondingly shaped opening 54in the wheel I3 whereby the wheel is carried by and is rotatable withthe shaft. may be force-fitted on the portion 52B. A flange 55 isprovided on the shaft 52 to engage the plate 43 and limit longitudinalmovement ofthe shaft in one direction. The wheel I3 may limit movementof the shaft in the other direction. As the shaft 52 supporting thewheel I3 is carried in the eccentric opening 53 turning or shifting ofthe lever 39 effects bodily shifting or adjustment of the wheel I3relative to the wheel I2. 'Ihus it will be apparent how the lever 39 maybe adjusted or shifted to move the wheel I3 with respect to thewheel I2and eifect the engagement and release of the wheels from the flange F ofthe container.

The means I for rotating the wheel I3 may be varied considerably withoutdeparting from the invention. In the particular case illustrated themeans I5 comprises a simple, wing-type handle 56 on the outer orprojecting end of the shaft 52. The handle 56 may be fixed to the shaft52 or may be integral with the shaft 52, as illustrated in the drawing.It is to be understood that a crank or a suitable gear means operated bya crank may be provided to rotate the shaft 52 or a suitable power meansmay be provided to drive the shaft 52.

A guide plate I6 is provided to cooperate with the internal surface ofthe bead or seam ring R of the container C to guide the container and tomaintain the proper relationship between the f plate I 6 and hasarounded or bevelled surface- 6I for` engaging the internal surface ofthe seam ring R. A rod or stem 62 carries the plate I6. The rod 62extends through and is shiftable in a central longitudinal opening 63 inthe shaft 52. The stem 62 is rigidly connected with the plate I6. In theparticular case illustrated the stem 62 has a reduced portion 64 rivetedor otherwise fixed in an opening in the plate I6. Means are provided tohold the stem 63 against rotation. A at surface 65 is provided on thestem 62 and a screw 66 is threaded into an opening in the shaft 52 tocooperate with the surface 65 to hold the stem against turning in theshaft'. The handle 56 has a lateral opening 61 and the stem 62 has athreaded portion projecting into the opening 61. A thumb nut 68 isthreaded on the stem 62 in the opening 61 and is adapted to reactagainst the walls of the opening 6'I to effect longitudinal adjustmentof the stem 62. When it is desired to open a can of large diameter thenut 68 is turned to adjust the plate I6 so that its flange 60 overlapsthe wheel I3 and is relatively close `to the wheel I2. When a containerof relatively small diameter is to be opened The Wheel I3` the wheels I2and I3 about the relatively small radius of the container.

It is-believed that the operation of the device will be readily apparentfrom the foregoing detailed description. The bracket I0 may normally lieadjacent or against the support I9 to which it is secured and when it isdesired to open a container the bracket may be swung to the out positionillustrated in Fig. 1. 'I'he lever I4 may be moved or adjusted to shiftthe wheel I3 upwardly from the wheel I2 to permit the bead or flange Fof the container C to be arranged between the opposing peripheries ofthe wheels I2 andA I3.

If believed necessary the guide plate I6 may be adjusted by means of thenut 68. The container C may be pressed against the guide 26 to assist inlocating thefiange F between the Wheels I2 and I3. Following thissetting or positioning of the container C the lever 39 may be swung toforce the wheel I3 downwardly against the seam flange -F and to forcethe flange against the wheel I2. The pin 48 is adapted to cooperatwith adepression 46 to releasably hold the lever I4 in its adjusted position.The setting or position of the lever 39 depends upon the size or widthof the ange F. The plurality of depressions 46 and the range of movementof the lever 39 adapts the device for decapping containers having seamflanges of various sizes. When the wheel I3 is shifted or adjustedinthis manner the lip 32 engages under the flange F to curl or bend itcontainer C somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 8

of the drawing. 'I'he container C may then be held in one hand and theother hand maybe employed to turn the handle 56. Rotation of the handle56 effects rotation of the wheels I3. 'Ihe toothed wheel I3 engagingagainst the flange F turns the container C and its teeth. 34 mesh withthe teeth 33 of the wheel I2 to turn the wheel I2. 'As the container Cis turned the lip 32 of the rotating wheel I2 uncurls or bends theflange F vupwardly and outwardly pressing the flange upwardly againstthe rotating wheel I3. This, in eect, unseams the flange F from thecontainer C and crimps the flange F onto the flange 10 of the containerhead or cap A. Thus the device secures or seams the ring to the cap A sothat the ring and cap form a unitary replaceable cover, as shown in Fig.5. The handle 56 may be rotated to effect one complete rotation of thecontainer C so that the entire flange F will have been unseamed orcurled away from the wall of the container C. This, of course, frees thecap A from the container C. The lever 39 may then be swung to lift thewheel I3 and allow the free disengagement of the flange F from betweenthe Wheels I2 and I3.

From the above it will be seen that the device vis operable to uncurl orunseam the seamlflange The container cap A is released or unseamed fromthe container without distortion and without mutilation so that it maybe reapplied to the con- Y tainer. to form a cover for the same.

When used in this manner it will be found that the cap A accurately orclosely fits the container to form an effective closure. It is to benoted that the device does not form cuts in either the cap or thecontainer body and does not cause particles of metal to enter thecontainer. The opening device never comes in contact with the contentsof the container and, therefore, remains clean and sanitary. If desired,thebody plate II may be removed from the bracket I to permit theoperation of the device when removed from the bracket. The device is'easily adjusted and adapted for opening containers of various sizes ordiameters and is easy to adjust and operate.

Having described only a typical preferred formv and application of theinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope' of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. A device for opening acontainer having a cap secured thereto by a seam flange which deviceincludes, a body, two toothed wheels in meshing cooperation, one wheelrotatably carried by the body and having a peripheral groove cooperatingwith the flange, the wall of the groove being shaped to curl the flangeoutwardly from the container, the other wheel rotatably carried by thebody and having a knurled periphery for engaging an outer end surface ofthe flange to maintain the proper engagement between the first namedwheel and the flange, means for shifting one wheel relative to the otherto effect engagement of the wheels with the flange, and means forrotating one of the wheels to effect movement between the container andthe wheels.

2. A device for removing the cap of a containery secured to thecontainer by a seam ring having a flange engaging over an end of thecontainer, said device including, a body, a wheel rotatably supported onthe body and having a lip for engaging under the flange to bend it awayfrom the container, a turnable sleeve on the body having an eccentricopening, a shaft rotatable in said opening, a driving wheel secured tothe shaft and cooperating with the first named wheel and the outer endface of the flange, means for rotating the shaft, means for turning thesleeve to effect proper engagement of the wheels with the flange, theshaft having an opening, a rstem in the opening, and a guide platesecured to the stem to cooperate with the internal surface of the ring.

3. A device for removing the cap-of a container secured to the containerby a seam ring having a flange engaging over an end of the container,said device including, 'a body, a wheelrotatably supported on the bodyand having a lip for engaging under the flange to bend it away from thecontainer, a turnable sleeve .on the body having an,

1 the shaft, means for turning the sleeve to effect proper engagement ofthe wheels with the flange, the shaft having an opening, a stem in theopening, a guide plate secured to the stem to cooperate with theinternal surface of the ring, and means for shifting the stem to adjustthe guide plate. i

4. A device for removing the cap of a container secured to the containerby a seam ring having a flange engaging over an end of the container,said device including, a body, a wheel rotatably supported on the bodyand having a lip for engaging under the flange to bend it away from thecontainer, a turnable sleeve on the body having an eccentric opening, ashaft rotatable in said opening, a driving wheel secured to the shaftand cooperating with the first named wheel Aand the outer end face ofthe flange, means for rotating the shaft, a lever on the sleeve forturning the same to effect proper cooperation ofthe wheels with theflange, means for releasably holding the lever in the adjusted position,the shaft having an opening, a stem shiftable longitudinally A in theopening, a guide plate secured to the stem includes, a body, two wheelscarried by the body for rotation about spacedsubstantially horizontalaxes, one wheel for engaging under the ange and having a peripheralgroove for cooperating with the flange to uncurl the same laterally fromthe container. the other for pressing against an outer surface of theflange to maintain proper engagement of the first named wheel with theflange, and means for rotating one of said wheels to effect movementbetween the container and the wheels.

6. A device for opening a container having a paper cap secured theretoby the flange of a metal ring which device includes, a body, a toothedwheel rotatably carried by the body to engage under the'ange and havinga peripheral groove for cooperating with the flange and shaped to curlthe same laterally from the container, a toothed wheel rotatably carriedby the body for engaging an outer surface of the flange to maintain theproper engagement between the first named wheel and the flange, the axisof rotation of the first named wheel being inclined with respect to theaxis of rotation of the second named wheel, means for shifting one wheelrelative to the other to effect engagement of the wheels with theflange, the teethon the wheels adaptedvto mesh when the wheels are inactive cooperation with the said flange, and vmeans for rotating one ofthe wheels .to effect movement between the container and the wheels.

'1. A device for opening a container having a y paper cap securedthereto by the seam flange of a metal ring which device includes, abody, a wheel rotatably-carried -by the body for rotation about asubstantially horizontal axis and having a peripheral groove cooperablewith .the flange and terminating at one end of the wheel in a lip forengaging under the flange to bend it laterally away from the wall of thecontainer, a traction wheel rotatably carried by the body for rotationabout a substantially horizontal axis and operable to engage the ringxtomaintain said lip in proper cooperation with the flange and to effectrelative movement between the wheels and the container, and means forrotating the tractionwheel.

8. A device for opening a container having a paper cap secured theretoby the seam flange of a metal ring which device includes, a-body, a

wheel rotatably carried by the body having teeth and having a peripheralgroove cooperable with the flange and terminating at one end of thewheel in] a lip for engaging under the flange yto bend `it laterallyaway from the wall of the .container, a traction wheel rotatably carriedby the body having teeth engaging the teeth of the first named wheel toturn the same and operable to engage the ring to maintain said lip inproper cooperation vwith the ange and to effect relative movementbetween the Wheels and the container, and means for rotating 4thetraction wheeL 9. A device for opening a container having a cap securedthereto by a seam flange which device includes, a body, a toothed wheelrotatably carried by the body and having a peripheral groove iorcooperating with the flange and joining a side of the wheel at anannular lip for engaging under the flange to bend it laterally away fromthe wall of the container, a toothed traction wheel rotatably andshiftably carried by the body to engage the flange and maintain theproper cooperation of the lip with the flange, means for shifting thetraction Wheel to eect engagement of the wheels with the flange, theteeth on the wheels adapted to mesh when the wheels are in the activepositions, and means for turning the traction wheel to effect relativemovement between the container and the wheels.

10. A device for removing the cap of a `,container secured to thecontainer by a seam flange curled over an end portion of the container,said device including, a body, a wheel supported on the body forrotation and having a peripheral groove for cooperating with the flangeand joining a side of the wheel at an annular lip for engaging under theflange to bend it laterally away from the wall of the container, atraction wheel rotatably carried lpy the body for engaging an end faceof the flange to maintain the lip under the flange, the axis of rotationof the rst named wheel being inclined relative to the axis of rotationof the traction wheel, a guide plate associated with the body to engagethe internal surface of the flange and guide the container relative tothe wheels, and means for rotating the traction wheel to effect relativemovement between the wheels and the container.V

11. A device for removing the cap of a con- 'tainer secured to thecontainer by a seam flange curled over an end portion of the container,

` said device including, a body, a wheel supported on the body forrotation and having a peripheral lip for engaging under the ange to bendit away from the Wall of the container, a traction wheel rotatablycarried by the body for engaging an end face of the flange to maintainthe lip under the flange, the axis ofv rotation ofthe first mentionedwheel being inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the tractionwheel so tainer secured to the container bya seam flange curled over anend portion of the container, said device including, a body, a wheelsupported on the body for rotation and having a, peripheral lip forengaging under the flange to bend it away from the wall of thecontainer, a traction wheel for engaging an outer end surface of theflange, a turnable sleeve on the body having an eccentric opening, ashaft rotatable in said opening and carrying the traction wheel, theaxis of rotation of the first mentioned wheel being inclined relative tothe axis of 'rotation of the traction wheel so that the said rstmentioned wheel does not injure the wall of the container,

and means for turning the sleeve to shift the traction wheel relative tothe ilrst named wheel to effect proper engagement of the wheels with theflange.

13. A device for removing the cap of a container securedto the containerby aseam flange curled over an end portion of the container, said deviceincluding, a body, a wheel supported on the body for rotation and havinga peripheral lip for engaging under the flange to bend it away' from thewall of .the containen'a traction wheel for engaging an outer endsurface of the flange, a turnable sleeve on the body having an eccentricopening," a shaft rotatable in said opening and carrying the tractionwheel, the axis of rotation oi' the first named wheel being inclinedrelative to the axis of rotation of the traction wheel, and means forturning the sleeve to shift the traction wheel relative to the firstnamed wheel to effect proper engagement of the wheels with the flange,said means including',A a lever on the sleeve to turn the same.

14. A device for removing the cap of a container secured to thecontainer by a seam flange curled over an end portion of the container,said.

device including, a body, a wheel supported on the body for rotation andhaving a peripheral lip for engaging under the flange to bend it awayfrom the wall of the container, a traction wheel for engaging an outerend surface of the flange, a. turnable sleeve on the body having aneccentric opening, a shaft rotatable in said opening and carrying thetraction wheel, the axis of rotation of the first named wheel beinginclined relative to the axis of rotation of 'the traction wheel, andmeans for turning the sleeve to shift the traction wheel relative to thefirst named wheel to effect proper engagement of the wheels with theflange, said means including, a lever on the sleeve, and means forreleasably holding the lever in adjusted position.

15. A device for removing the cap 0f a container secured to thecontainerby a seam flange curled over an end portion of the container,said device including, a. body, a Wheel supported on the body forrotation and having a peripheral lip for engaging under the flange tobend it away from the wall of the container, a traction wheel forengaging an outer end surface'of the flange, a turnable sleeve on thebody having an eccentric opening, a shaft rotatable in said opening andcarrying the traction wheel, the axis of rotation of the first namedwheel being inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the tractionWheel, and

. means for turning the sleeve to shift the traction wheel relative tothe first named wheel to effect proper engagement of the wheelswith theflange, said means including, a lever on the sleeve to turn the same,and detent means on the lever for cooperating with the body toreleasably hold the lever in adjusted position. y

16. A device for removing the cap of a container secured to thecontainer by a seam flange curled over an end portion of the container,said device including, a body, a wheel supported on the body forrotation and having a peripheral lip for engaging under the ilangetobend it away from the wall of the container, a traction Wheel forengaging an outer end surface of the flange, a turnable sleeve on thebody having an eccentric opening, a shaft rotatable in said opening andcarrying the traction wheel, the axis of rotation of the first namedwheel being inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the tractionwheel, means` for rotating' the shaft to rotate the traction wheel, andmeans for turning the sleeve to shift the traction wheel relative to thefirst named wheel to effect proper engagement of the wheels with theflange.

17.*A device for removing the cap of a container secured to thecontainer by a seam ring having a flange engaging over an end of thecontainer, said device including, a body, a. wheel v shaft rotatable insaidopening, a. driving wheel.

rotatably supported on the body having teeth and havingv a lip forengaging under the flange to bend' it away from the container, aturnable sleeve on the body having an eccentric opening, a

secured to the shaft and having-teeth cooperating with the teeth on therst named Wheel and the outer end face of theiiange, means for rotatingthe shaft', means for turning Vthe sleeve to effect proper engagement ofthe wheels with the flange, the shaft having an opening, a stem in theopening, and a guide plate secured to the stem to cooperate with theinternal surface of of the ring.

18. A device for opening a container having a cap secured thereto by aseam flange, said device including, a body, a wheel rotatably carried bythe body having a peripheral groove for receiving and lcooperating withthe lower portion 'of the seam flange and having a peripheral lipMAICIMILIAN. PAUL LINK.

